Heading out on a two-week vacation, so no posts for a while.

I leave with you with best youtube video I have ever seen … click here.

This is gonna give wedding planners fits!

In Saturday’s Whig, you’ll read about a guy who now lives in the area who attended the infamous Ozark Music Festival.

Hard to believe it was 35 years ago. For a fascinating glimpse of a riotous time in our nation’s history, not to mention the poor little town of Sedalia, Mo., click here.

I spent a lot of time yesterday working on a story for our Blueprint section about tree removal.

I get up this morning and look into the backyard …. and half of a huge sweet gum tree is on the ground.

Geesh. Let’s hope I’m not writing about some horrific crime issue and the same thing happens ….

The gal on the left sure looks good … not sure about that dork on the right.

To find out why she’s dancing, click here.

Residents of South 24th can rest easier — the 8-foot boa has been found!

Thanks to Jill Shackelton for the above photo. The snake appears to be doing fine.

Click here for the story.

Larry Grisham (left) and the Beat Daddy's had a blast on the Washington Park Blues Fest stage Friday.

Just caught Barbara Carr and Pike Station at the Blues Fest in Washington Park. WOW … that gal can sing! Click here for Saturday’s Whig story.

Had a great time talking with Larry Grisham of the Beat Daddy’s after they played Friday. Larry has been to Quincy many times and he’s excited about his band, which has new members.

He talked a lot about playing original music at festivals and “listening rooms,” or places where people will actually listen to original tunes.

“To me, there’s nothing more satisfying,” he says.

Larry lived in New Orleans until his home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. He’s been through some tough times in the music business, but he’s never lost hope, and he’s never lost appreciation for being able to play music for a living.

Larry and his band will be back in Quincy at The Club Tavern Oct. 30 and 31.

Neighbors in the 24th and Payson area are understandably nervous after word surfaced this week about an 8-foot python escaping from a residence on South 24th.

Turns out they probably won’t have to worry, and they can thank the weather.

Daniel McLaughlin, 54, of 620 S. 24th, was cited for possession of a restricted animal without a permit and failure to report the escape of a restricted animal. He has an Aug. 27 court date in Quincy.

The snake apparently got out of the house more than two weeks ago. While pythons are known to squeeze their prey to death and eat small animals, Gary “Snake Man” Liesen says there is no threat to humans.

“The weather forecast is for it to get down to the 50s, and that means the snake is in trouble,” says Liesen, who owns Snakeman’s Shop at 817 Kentucky. “The cold weather will kill it.”

If the snake made it into nearby Curtis Creek on the Quincy Country Club property, it’s probably hunkered down.

“The cold won’t make it mean or want to kill anybody,” Liesen says. “It’s going to get down in there (the water) and it’s going to die.”

While Liesen says the snake isn’t a threat, residents are warned to not approach it. Call 911 and wait for animal control to arrive.

Vintage guitars filled Turner Hall last Sunday.

Veteran musician and Hancock County resident Carl Thomas hosted a vintage guitar swap meet last Sunday at Turner Hall, and it was a huge success.

Dealers came from all over the Midwest to display, sell and trade instruments. Thomas says all 30 tables were sold and more than 200 people paid the $3 admission.

If all goes well, Thomas says he’ll do it again at Turner Hall at some point.

Former Adams County Sheriff’s deputy Tony Grootens is the new chief of police in Jacksonville, Ill.

Grootens was a sergeant and supervised patrol officers and investigations for the ACSD, working there for 11 years until 1987. He then joined the Drug Enforcement Agency and worked in Texas, Alaska, Springfield, Ill. and Springfield, Mo.

Grootens is stepping down from his job in the Washington, D.C. area as program manager of law enforcement accounts for Sig Sauer Arms. He’ll officially start in Jacksonville next month.

Click here for the Jacksonville Journal-Courier story.

The Grace family

In Saturday’s Herald-Whig, you’ll read a story about Anthony and Kelly Grace of Camp Point, who were honored Friday with the SAM Foster Parent Award. They have adopted five children, all under the age of 10, and filled a house with love and support for special needs kids.

It was great to have the event in Judge John Wooleyhan’s courtroom. After all, it’s a room where a lot of difficult decisions are made, where many juvenile cases are decided.

This time, it was a room filled with joy. The Graces humbly accepted the award with tears and gratitude.

During an interview, one of their young sons came up to mom and dad and excitedly showed them a toy spider.

“See what I’m playing with!” he said.

Sure, Anthony and Kelly Grace get back as much love as they give. But they have made a huge difference and deserve recognition for giving of themselves.

It was nice to see a happy outcome in a courtroom, for a change.